ed with
papers, and here men were signing their name Dick explained that forest
rangers were being paid and new ones hired. Then he introduced me
officers of the service and the Chief. I knew by the way they looked at
me that Dick had been talking. It made me so tongue-tied that I could
not find my voice when the Chief spoke to me and shook my hand warmly.
He was a tall man, with a fine face and kind eyes and hair just touched
with gray.

"Kenneth Ward," he went on, pleasantly, "I hope that letter of
introduction I dictated for you some time ago has been of some service."

"I haven't had a chance to use it yet," I blurted out, and I dived into
my pocket to bring forth the letter. It was wrinkled, soiled, and
had been soaked with water. I began to apologize for its disreputable
appearance when he interrupted me.

"I've heard about the ducking you got and all the rest of it," he said,
smiling. Then his manner changed to one of business and hurry.

"You are studying forestry?"

"Yes, sir. I'm going to college this fall."

"My friend in Harrisburg wrote me of your ambition and, I may say,
aptness for the forest service. I'm very much pleased. We need a host of
bright young fellows. Here, look at this map."

He drew my attention to a map lying on the table, and made crosses and
tracings with a pencil while he talked.

"This is Penetier. Here are the Arizona Peaks. The heavy shading
represents timbered land. All these are canyons. Here's Oak Creek
Canyon, the one the fire bordered. Now I want you to tell me how you
worked that back-fire, and, if you can, mark the line you fired."

This appeared to me an easy task, and certainly one I was enthusiastic
over. I told him just how I had come to the canyon, and how I saw that
the fire would surely cross there, and that a back-fire was the only
chance. Then, carefully studying the map, I marked off the three miles
Herky and I had fired.

"Very good. You had help in this?"

"Yes. A fellow called Herky-Jerky. He was one of Buell's men who kept me
a prisoner."

"But he turned out a pretty good sort, didn't he?"

"Indeed, yes, sir."

"Well, I'll try to locate him, and offer him a job in the service. Now,
Mr. Ward, you've had special opportunities; you have an eye in your
head, and you are interested in forestry. Perhaps you can help us.
Personally I shall be most pleased to hear what you think might be done
in Penetier."

I gasped and stared, and could scarcely belie